How to Build a Garden Pool

Pools are one of the most popular garden features. They can be any size, from a small, formal raised structure built on a patio, to a full-sized lake. They must be sited where they will receive plenty of light; the water plants themselves will provide ample shade and protection for wildlife.

Formal gardens are best served with ponds that are regular and geometric in shape: circles, squares, ovals and rectangles are all suitable. For an elaborate feature, use a more complex shape such as a cross, a hexagon or a dumbbell shape. Triangular pools can be constructed, but these tend to look better in modern gardens where they are more likely to fit in with asymmetrical designs. The pool should be edged in a formal way, with paving stones or bricks. Any planting should be within the pool itself and is best restricted to one or two choice water lilies or a few marginal plants with impressive foliage.

Informal ponds can be of any shape but they are usually sinuous in outline. They should be well integrated into the surroundings and blurred at the edges with waterside planting that starts on the banks and moves down into the water. Informal ponds are often constructed in association with bog gardens, and once fully planted, these wet, spongy features will help merge the pool into the landscape.

There is a wide choice of construction methods and materials to choose from, the major ones being concrete, butyl rubber liners and pre-formed shells. As a general rule, more irregular shapes are easier to construct using liners or pre-formed shells rather than concrete; concrete is best reserved for formal and raised structures. The disadvantage of pre-formed shells, however, is that you are restricted to the shapes on offer and it is difficult to blur their edges with planting; once installed, they should be edged with stones and plants. It is much easier to disguise the edges of pools made with butyl rubber liners, and these flexible liners can accommodate virtually any shape of pool, sinuous or angular.

Plant the shallows of the pool with marginal plants, keeping the marshy area around the pool for bog plants. Place water lilies on the pool floor, along with other deep water aquatics; these should be planted in planting baskets and carefully lowered into the water. Introduce several clumps of submerged plants and floating aquatics to help keep algae at bay and to encourage all manner of wildlife.